William Kirkland

Hands-on Supply Chain and Manufacturing professional with 4+ years of experience in logistics, production operations, inventory management, and supplier coordination. Currently managing SAP-based inventory control and material handling in a fast-paced distribution environment at Sysco. Previously supported custom batch production in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing setting.

Holds an active TWIC card, confirming eligibility for ITAR and export-controlled programs. Proficient in SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Office. A proven cross-functional problem-solver with deep operational expertise, ready to drive complex procurement and supplier performance for Eaton's Grand Rapids facility.

Forklift Operator / Warehouse Associate - SYSCO - Grand Rapids, MI

(2026-01)

• Manage high-volume inbound and outbound inventory using SAP, ensuring data accuracy and timely order fulfillment — foundational to purchase order management and supplier compliance tracking.
• Verify shipments, log discrepancies, and perform cycle counts to maintain inventory integrity, directly applicable to spend tracking and material forecasting.
• Collaborate daily with logistics, quality, and operations teams to resolve shipment issues and adapt to volume fluctuations, demonstrating cross-functional influence in a matrixed environment.
• Maintain strict safety, sanitation, and compliance standards in a federally regulated foodservice setting, paralleling the supplier compliance and audit readiness required under ITAR.
• Certified in forklift operation, providing hands-on understanding of production floor and supplier capacity constraints.

Owner / Courier / Delivery Contractor - WEST DISTRIBUTORS LLC - Grand Rapids, MI

(2023)

• Manage and execute delivery schedules across multiple client contracts, ensuring on-time performance and service level adherence — core skills for supplier delivery and performance management.
• Perform visual inspections of products prior to delivery to ensure quality standards, reinforcing the quality control and attention to detail required for complex procurement.
• Coordinate directly with clients to resolve scheduling and delivery issues, building the customer-facing communication and problem-solving abilities essential for supplier relationship management.

Batch Operator / Maintenance (Contractor) - SNACKCRAFT - Grand Rapids, MI

(2023-12)

• Managed custom batch production in a gluten-free, dairy-free, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment, directly mirroring the complexity of non-standard, non-repeat buying.
• Coordinated material readiness with inventory systems (SAP), flagged raw material shortages, and supported production scheduling — hands-on material forecasting and producibility decision-making.
• Collaborated with quality, maintenance, and production teams to resolve material discrepancies and maintain continuous improvement, demonstrating cross-functional problem-solving in a matrix setting.
• Supported sanitation and preventive maintenance programs to ensure regulatory compliance, analogous to managing supplier compliance and audit standards.

Truck Driver - BUBBAS HEAVY HAUL - Dyersburg, TN

(2023-09 - 2023-12)

• Transported goods on a contract basis, ensuring secure, on-time delivery while maintaining rigorous DOT compliance and detailed trip documentation.
• Conducted pre-trip and post-trip inspections and routine vehicle maintenance, reinforcing preventive maintenance and safety discipline applicable to supplier equipment and capacity assessments.

High School Diploma - East Kentwood High School (2017)